Skip to main content

So you are going for an Interview - 1

Job Interview is a tool for transition, if you succeed, it may take you nearer to your goal. Nothing can beat preparing in advance for the interview.  The preparation involves, understanding the organization by doing some research on the internet, referring to their website, doing research in their product range or service segment.


The second element of the preparation is evaluating the skills desired to serve in the desired vertical in the organization, and also preparing an inventory of desired skillset and matching it with your skill set. This will help you make a better case for your candidature, you also need to evaluate attitudinal and behavioural attributes desired or preferred in the line of work you wish to apply for. Introspect and evaluate how you are good for the job, you also need to have some explanations, examples or anecdotes which may help put your case forward better and stronger. 


Your body starts speaking much before you do. Watch your body language, be conscious about it, don't fake body language because it will easily show and may have negative impact. Your body language is a derivative of your attitude and your state of mind. It easily tells whether you are confident or unsure and nervous.

How do you walk inside the room, how you sit, how you wish the interviewers and how you respond to the questions. Everything communicates about you. You cannot act relaxed, because being relaxed is an outcome of confidence and preparation. If you are confident about your subject knowledge, and are well prepared your body would speak so before you even start answering the questions.
Some basics like you should not slouch but sit straight, dont speak too loud or too soft, take pauses between sentences not speak sentences between pauses. Dont cut sentences and let the speaker finish speaking, if someone intervenes, pause listen to him first, then speak. You should never say "Let me finish then I will answer your question" this shows your disregard to the person and demonstrates your arrogance. Be polite but not artificially soft.  Don’t use crutch words like - "well", "ok", "obviously",  "naturally", "literally", "honestly", "seriously", "totally", "basically", "essentially”, “really", "very",  "Um, Ah, Er, Uh","so", "look", "like", "just", "Fantastic, Great, Awesome, Super", "the thing is....", "you know.", "right" etc., these words are barrier in communication.

Eyes are one of the most significant tools of communication; therefore a proper eye contact is necessary to communicate. But making eye contact doesn't mean staring constantly. While answering you should look into the eyes of the person who is asking question and you may also glance a gaze at other person present in the interview. You should never look down or elsewhere while speaking, not making eye contact tells that you are either not confident or are not speaking the truth.
As already mentioned, it is expected that you have acquired sufficient information about the job that you are applying for and the company you are applying in. When the interviewer asks, "tell me what do you know about us" they are looking for your understanding of their company's main areas of operations, its uniqueness or speciality in the area of its business, its corporate belief and also how this company is placed in the market.

Right attitude is THE most significant attribute in a candidate; most of the companies place it higher in their list of criteria for selecting a candidate. A person with right attitude even with lesser knowledge is acceptable but even a knowledgeable person with wrong attitude is never acceptable. Some of the attributes which one should try to inculcate is teachabliity and interest to learn, adaptability, flexibility, initiative, ownership are some of the attributes which are considered very important.

You should constantly assess and evaluate your attitude inventory to check whether you have these attributes and if you are lacking in some, you may inculcate them, with patience, practice, determination and with the help of positive friends who are willing to help. Remember one can't give something which one doesn't have, this may help you in finding the right person to help.  Keep learning keep growing.





Comments

  1. BhavyaFebruary 8, 2018 at 6:36 PM

    Dedication and perseverance for sure are required in every field and Yes this would be really helpful in my interview preparations as well so Thankyou Sir.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who are You? - 5: Peaceful Phlegmatic

When you see something remarkable happening, like India winning cricket match your sister tops in school examination, your dad gets promotion, or some kids are having great fun in the rains, or your mom has cooked excellent food for you; Do you feel excited, happy, elated, joyous and expressed love and emotion? You would say sure of course, I would feel excited if such good things are happening around me, and you might say – “Who wouldn’t?” Well, probably Peaceful Phlegmatic would not. Yes, these souls might not feel excited, elated, happy or moved. Phlegmatic is the temperament of content, in fact extreme content, even to the extent of rendering one inactive. Peaceful Phlegmatics are the easiest of all temperaments to get along with. The peaceful Phlegmatic person does not offend, does not get offended, does not call attention to himself, and quietly does what is expected of him without looking for credit. No, no its not a fact that all men of whatever temperament get transformed...
Post a Comment
Read more

Leadership Lesson from Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Leadership is one of the most written and discussed topic, I have written many posts on the subject. Some time ago I came across a lecture by Field Marshal Manekshaw on the subject, which de delivered at St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. I am sharing the excerpts from his lecture which I transcribed. Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw (April 3, 1914 –June 27, 2008), popularly known as ‘Sam Bahadur’, was one of the greatest military commanders India’s had. Manekshaw was a decisive leader and able listener who always considerate to those under his command. Almost always finishing his own work in an hour, he would often spend the rest of his time floating from one office to another, dropping in on harried juniors and eagerly helping them with their tasks. In fact, his colourful language and irreverent jokes were known to set off tidal waves of mirth through the army headquarters. Whenever I see a newspaper I see shortages, there is shortage of food, there is a sho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Writers ‘Block and Blogging

I am blogging since last over 11 years. Blogging is a great way to communicate with the audience your point of view, opinion, ideas. It also provides the writer with an opportunity to get connected with his audience in a dialogue and discussion. It’s a two way magazine. The versatility of blog is due to its medium, the internet.   In my opinion, and I am sure most would agree, that Internet is one of the greatest invention after wheel which has changed the society in a revolutionary manner.   For the students, blog is an excellent tool, which can not only help them in refining their writing skills, but also being able to develop a thought into an article, it will help them consolidate the concept in a proper and presentable manner. Starting a blog is the easiest thing, the tough part is writing it on a regular basis, with unique topics, which would be of interest to the audience. Getting new ideas is a challenge. One can get help from many sites and pages suggesting ide...
Post a Comment
Read more